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How Do I Know Which Ostomy Supplies Are Right for Me?

• 3m • cavilon • coloplast • colostomy • convatec • cymed • fortis medical products • hollister • ileostomy • marlen manufacturing • nu-hope laboratories • ostomate • ostomy • ostomy awareness • ostomy care • ostomy community • ostomy life • ostomy products • ostomy supplies • ostomy support • ostomy tips • safe n simple • smith & nephew • stoma • stoma care • torbot group • urostomy

Finding the Right Ostomy Supplies Isn't One-Size-Fits-All

If you live with an ostomy, you already know that finding products that work well for you can make a big difference in your comfort, confidence, and daily routine.

But with so many pouches, skin barriers, rings, pastes, protective products, and accessories available, it can be difficult to know where to start.

The truth is simple: there isn't one ostomy system that works perfectly for everyone.

Your stoma, skin, body shape, lifestyle, output, and personal preferences all play a role in finding the right combination of products.

Sometimes finding the right system takes a little trial and error—and that's okay.

What Makes Up an Ostomy System?

Depending on your type of ostomy and individual needs, your routine may include several different products.

Pouches

Ostomy pouches are available in different styles, sizes, closures, and materials. Some are one-piece systems, while others use a separate skin barrier and pouch.

Skin Barriers

The skin barrier—or wafer—is designed to protect the skin around your stoma while helping create a secure seal.

Barriers may be:

  • Pre-cut
  • Cut-to-fit
  • Moldable
  • Flat
  • Convex

The right option can depend on the size and shape of your stoma and the contours of your abdomen.

Rings, Seals, and Paste

These products can help fill uneven areas around the stoma and improve the seal between your skin and pouching system.

They can be particularly helpful when you are dealing with creases, folds, or other challenges that may contribute to leakage.

Skin Care Products

Skin barrier films, cleansers, adhesive removers, powders, and other skin-care products may be part of your routine.

However, more products aren't always better. Using the right product correctly is important, especially if you are experiencing irritated or damaged skin.

Accessories

Depending on your needs, you may also use products such as barrier strips, pouch covers, belts, deodorants, support products, or other accessories.

What Should You Consider When Choosing an Ostomy Product?

There are several things to think about when evaluating whether a product is right for you.

1. Your Stoma Size and Shape

Your stoma may be round, oval, irregular, recessed, flush, or protruding. Your stoma can also change in size, particularly after surgery.

A good fit around the stoma is important because gaps can allow output to get underneath the skin barrier.

2. Your Abdominal Shape

Your abdomen isn't necessarily flat—and that's normal.

Scars, folds, creases, hernias, weight changes, and other changes to your body can affect how a pouching system fits.

Sometimes a product that worked well previously may need to be adjusted as your body changes.

3. Your Skin

Healthy skin around your stoma should be protected from repeated exposure to output and unnecessary trauma from pouch changes.

If you're experiencing redness, burning, itching, weeping, or open areas, don't simply assume that you need to live with it.

Your WOC/ostomy nurse can help determine what may be contributing to the problem and whether your products or routine should be changed.

4. Your Output

The consistency and volume of your output can affect which products work best for you.

Someone with a colostomy may have very different needs from someone with an ileostomy or urostomy.

5. Your Lifestyle

Your ostomy system needs to work for your life—not the other way around.

Think about:

  • Work
  • Exercise
  • Swimming
  • Travel
  • Sleep
  • Clothing
  • Activities
  • How often you want to change your pouch
  • How easy the system is for you to apply and remove

Don't Be Afraid to Try Something Different

One of the most important things to remember is that your current product isn't necessarily your only option.

If you're experiencing frequent leakage, skin irritation, poor wear time, discomfort, difficulty applying the system, or simply don't like the way a product feels, talk with your WOC/ostomy nurse or healthcare provider.

You may not need to change everything.

Sometimes a small change—such as a different barrier, ring, seal, convexity, or accessory—can make a meaningful difference.

Take Advantage of Product Samples

Many ostomy manufacturers offer free samples or sample programs that allow you to try products before purchasing a full box.

This can be especially helpful when you're considering changing products.

Before requesting samples, have some basic information available, including:

  • Your type of ostomy
  • Your stoma size and shape
  • Whether your stoma is flush, recessed, or protruding
  • Your current pouching system
  • Any leakage or skin concerns
  • How long your current system typically lasts
  • What you would like to improve

Some manufacturers may have product specialists or nurses who can help you identify products to try.

Ostomy Manufacturers and Free Sample Resources

Several manufacturers offer ostomy products and customer support programs. Availability of samples can vary by product, eligibility, and location, so check with the manufacturer before ordering.

Some manufacturers and resources to explore include:

  • ConvaTec – Ostomy pouches, skin barriers, seals, accessories, and skin-care products. ConvaTec's me+ program provides ostomy support and sample opportunities. 1-800-422-8811 · cic@convatec.com https://www.convatec.com/ostomy-care/forms/request-sample-esenta





  • Nu-Hope Laboratories – Ostomy pouches, accessories, and support products, including customized options. Nu-Hope offers free samples in the United States and Canada. 800-899-5017 Request a Pouch Sample


  • Torbot Group – Ostomy appliances and accessories, including customized options. 800-545-4254


  • Cymed – Ostomy pouching systems and accessories. 800-582-0707


  • Marlen Manufacturing & Development – Ostomy pouching systems, skin barriers, and related products. 216-292-7060


  • 3M – Skin-care and skin-protection products, including Cavilon products that may be used as part of ostomy and peristomal skin-care routines. 1-800-228-3957 for Cavilon product questions.


  • Smith+Nephew – Wound and skin-care products that may be relevant to certain skin-care needs; they are not primarily an ostomy pouch manufacturer. Wound Management Customer Care: 1-978-749-1373 · customercare.wound@smith-nephew.com

Don't Forget Your WOC/Ostomy Nurse

Manufacturer resources can be helpful, but they shouldn't replace individualized clinical advice.

A WOC/ostomy nurse can look at your stoma and the skin around it, assess your current pouching system, and help you troubleshoot problems such as leakage, skin irritation, poor wear time, or difficulty getting a good seal.

If you don't have an ostomy nurse, ask your healthcare provider about finding one.

You don't have to figure everything out by yourself.

Your Medical Supply Company Can Help Too

Your supplier can also be a valuable resource when you're trying to find or order products.

At Sam's Medical Supply, we understand that ostomy care is personal. We carry products from many of the manufacturers used by people living with ostomies, and our goal is to help make the process of finding and ordering your supplies easier.

If you're unsure what product you need, have questions about an item number, or are looking for a particular manufacturer, we're happy to help point you in the right direction.

A Simple Checklist

Before changing your ostomy supplies, ask yourself:

Is my current system working?

  • Am I experiencing leakage?
  • Is the skin around my stoma healthy?
  • Am I getting the wear time I need?
  • Is my pouch comfortable?
  • Is the system easy for me to apply and remove?
  • Has my body or stoma changed?
  • Is there something about my current system I would like to improve?

If the answer to any of these questions is yes, it may be worth talking with your WOC/ostomy nurse and exploring other options.

Finding What Works for You

Living with an ostomy often means learning what works for your body.

What works wonderfully for one person may not work for someone else—and that's okay.

Don't be discouraged if the first product you try isn't the right one. Samples, manufacturer support, WOC/ostomy nurses, ostomy communities, and medical supply companies can all be valuable resources as you find the combination that works best for you.

The goal isn't to find the most popular ostomy product. The goal is to find a system that fits your body, protects your skin, supports your lifestyle, and gives you confidence in your day-to-day care.

Need Help Finding Your Ostomy Supplies?

Sam's Medical Supply is here to help.

We offer ostomy, incontinence, wound care, skin care, and other medical supplies from brands you know and trust.

Let us take care of your ostomy supply needs.

Visit www.samsmedicalsupply.com or call (615) 768-9851.

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